Northern Virginia Roll Call

Nice! I had the titanium 140 and loved it so the 170 will treat you well. You can talk to a local metal supply place and get scrap from them for super cheap or free.

 

Guess I can check with some local welding shops too for that matter. I saw you've had good luck with the HF line, so figured that would be a good place to start. The inverter technology seemed like the way to go for me, much smaller physical size.

 

You can also use coupons.

https://weldmetalsonline.com/collec...bon-steel-flat-coupons?variant=18583262691401

I recommend .125 thick because that’s the most common thickness you’re gonna be welding, at least that’s the case with me and my truck. You can practice all sorts of joints with these.

 

You can stop by the shop in Sterling Monday if ya like. We have some sheet metal you can practice with. For thicker metals you could stop by and ask at one of the several metal places around the corner

 

We have cases of those too
Edit: just not that thickness. Ours are more like the thickness of sheet metals

 

Practice is stupid. LMAO I say just build something that doesn't matter, like a table, and don't waste money on scraps.

 

We’ll agree to disagree. Practice makes perfect. Watching videos on YouTube to learn technique and put those techniques to use on scrap. It eliminates a bunch of variables and allows you to really focus on what you’re doing and dial in your welder.

 

What shop do you work at? Or you can PM me if you'd rather not post the name.

 

Huh, didn't know that had a name. I was planning to make my own coupons out of a sheet of 16 gauge I bought at Lowes, drill a hole in each one, then weld them to my son's rocker panel. The plastic clips that attach the side skirt keep coming out of the existing holes, so planning to weld the new coupons with holes to the rocker panel so the plastic clips stay put (hopefully that made sense)

 

I’ve been tossing around the idea of a welder...maybe I’ll start with a welder cart and I also want a swing out for my bike rack so I can access my cap

 

Well coupon just means precut pieces for the sole purpose of practice. Sheet metal is a bitch to work with so my recommendation would be to get a little used to the welder beforehand. Or practice by welding some 16 gauge to pieces of 14ish gauge to simulate welding on his rocker panel.

 

Anyone remotely interested in a set of 245/75R17 Dueller AT tires that I'd really like to get out of my storage unit?

 

Did a quick wire exchange and put in a thicker gauge wire for my engine ground. The nut going into the block was rather difficult to get to at first, tried using swivel sockets and whatnot, but then I just used the tiniest wrench I had and sure enough it was a perfect fit. The nut going into the block was a 12MM but the nut going into the body was a 10MM. So odd, but all good. (I think) I have completed 2 out of the “Big 3” mod wires now so I’m excited.
Also brake parts cleaner is awesome. I need an endless supply of it.

 

NVCC in Manassas used to offer welding classes and provide all of the materials and equipment. May want to see if they still do and if their schedule works for you.

 

Nobody wants to see my dancing banana

 

PM sent

 

All this welding talk..

I've always wanted to learn the proper tech on it. I can make bubble gum all day. really want to learn how to weld aluminum. Not sure why, just stuck on wanting to weld aluminum..

 

little baby carrot.